Word Originlate 16th cent. (as a noun denoting a prose writer): from late Latinprosaicus, from Latinprosa

‘straightforward (discourse)’

, feminine of prosus, earlier prorsus

‘direct’

. Current senses of the adjective date from the mid 18th cent.Extra examples‘Perhaps,’ he replied loftily, ‘you have too prosaic a mind?’Daylight brought the prosaic world back again.Prosaic language can’t capture or convey the experience.Seafarers found it difficult to settle down to the more prosaic existence of life ashore.The final message is prosaic: practise as often as you can.They exchanged a few very prosaic words.